Tasty Treats for Your Holiday Gift-Giving

The holiday season is all about decadence, and that includes those indulgences you might shy away from during the rest of the year. Whether you are ready to unveil the perfect party platter for guests who've traveled far to visit you or looking for a special gift for a hard-to-please family member, here are some of the most toothsome treats on the market.

For Mom: She's always there, fussing and fixing to make holiday meals special. Help her out with a selection of dips, spreads, and sauces from Delicious & Sons.

Their Puttanesca Sauce adds a kick to that day-after-Christmas meal when you're sick of leftovers. The Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Rosso and Porcini Mushroom Spread make for a quick bruschetta when those unexpected visitors drop by. And their Garlic Aioli with Saffron & Orange will elevate your turkey sandwich to new heights. $7-12.

Long Grove Confectionary Co.

For Dad: Give the big cheese the best cheese, when you serve up Cabot Creamery's high-end Cabot Reserve Legacy Collection! The super-sharp Farmhouse Reserve Super Premium Aged Cheddar is ideal in a big dish of macaroni and cheese, your pop's favorite! And the Alpine Super Premium Aged Cheddar Cheese has hints of Swiss and parmesan in a cheddar aged to creamy, nutty perfection.

These bars and pre-sliced cheeses are perfect for holiday entertaining -- even if you're just entertaining yourself. $4 each.

For Aunt Jean: Make the holidays special with sweet treats from Long Grove Confectionery Co. Their individually-wrapped Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels are full of toothsome caramel doused in bittersweet chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt. The jolly gold bell on top of the package jingles every time you take one.

Also tasty are their Pecan Myrtles, packed with nuts. Kids will love their squishy squares of Dark Peanut Butter Melt Squares, and everyone will agree that the holidays just aren't complete without a nice box of Dark and White Chocolate Peppermint Bark, studded with zingy bits of candy cane. $30-45.

For Your Younger Brother: Jerky for the jerks! What dude wouldn't rejoice in a collection of Field Trip Jerky?

Forget about those shoe-leather jerkies. Fresh, meaty, and tender Field Trip Jerky is available in beef, pork, and cracked pepper turkey sticks and strips, to provide your disgusting little brother with the only food that can't go bad, even if you leave it out all night long while you're playing Call of Duty. Now clean your room! $4.29.

The Truffleist

For Your Sister: The food snob in the family won't settle for anything less than the best. The Truffleist's high-end line of truffle-infused products will send her umami-meter off the charts! Bedizen a cheese board with a dollop of Truffle Honey. Liven up pasta dishes with a swirl of their Truffle Oil. Make the best sandwich of your life with their tangy Truffle Mustard. And everything, from eggs to fries, tastes better with a sprinkle of Truffle Salt. Their Truffleist Gift Box features all four, and will make up for all those times she covered for you in high school. $65.

For Your Favorite Niece: Give your little sweetie something better than Nutella to spread on her toast: My Sweet's nut-free Spreadable Chocolate. Inspired by the popular chocolate treat Brazilian Brigadeiros, this thick, smooth paste is a mind-blowing alternative to icing and spreads great on fruit, pancakes, ice cream, and more. Pair it with their Brick Brigadeiro and Wafer Cookie snacks, or their fine four-pack of Holiday Favor Box of truffles made just for you. $10-24.

For Your Kid Cousins: Keep them quiet while they watch those Rankin-Bass Christmas specials, with the help of the Popcornopolis Happy Holiday gift pack. This festive assortment features five cones full of specialty popcorns, including Caramel, Cinnamon Toast, Kettle Corn, Cheddar Cheese and the heavily candied Zebra Popcorn. The cone-shaped bags are perfect for sharing and keep the popcorn fresh and delicious. $44.99.

Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Know a book lover with a coffee table and a passion? Then you're good to go on a gift. Coffee-table books aren't usually high on the self-purchase priority list but they can make great holiday gifts if chosen carefully.

EDGE's holiday giving continues with this collection of unique gifts for your favorite guy. We've got it all, whether you're looking for an affordable stocking stuffer, a practical accessory, or a wow-factor piece that is sure to make an impression.